419 itemsWelcome to Illinois State Library
The Illinois Documents collection at the Illinois State Library Illinois State Library is a historical representation of state government since Illinois was granted statehood in 1818. The collection covers the entire scope of state government as Illinois evolved into an agrarian and industrial powerhouse. The coal mining industry was a critical part of the state’s economy during the past 100 years and the Illinois Coal Reports (1883-1986) document advances in mining technology, workmen compensation and mine safety legislation. The material provides students, historians, scholars and researchers with information about coal mining in the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as genealogists as each fatal mine accident is documented with the name of the miner and description of the cause of death. Major mining disasters are covered in the volumes, including Diamond on Feb. 16, 1883 (72 causalities); Cherry on Nov. 13, 1901 (259); Royalton on Oct. 27, 1914 (52); Moweaqua; on Dec. 24, 1932 (54); Centralia on March 25, 1947 and West Frankfort Dec. 21, 1951 (119). Other mining-related material are included in the Illinois Digital Archives.All items (most recently added first) - 
